Emily Watson is the 2025 recipient of The Richard Harris Award for Outstanding Contribution by an Actor to British Film at the 2025 BIFAs. Speaking from the red carpet at the 28th British Independent Film Awards, she made sure to praise nominee Harris Dickinson who’s film Urchin marks his debut as a director and a screenwriter.
Star of films such as Punch-Drunk Love, Corpse Bride, The Theory of Everything and War Horse, Emily received the outstanding achievement award at the 2025 BIFAs at the Roundhouse in London on Sunday 30th Noember 2025. She’s set to appear in the upcoming awards season favourite, ‘Hamnet’ co-starring Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley, which will launch in cinemas in early 2026. Report by Burtonj. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
00:00Well, this young man has directed a movie and quite annoying really isn't it?
00:30It feels like I feel quite overwhelmed being here.
00:37How are you feeling about what I'm going to call your big night at the Fantastic Award?
00:43I'm a bit nervous actually, which is weird.
00:49It's what I spend my life doing but it's much easier pretending to be somebody else.
00:55Actually, I want to pick up on that then. In terms of your career and your roles, when's the last time you really did feel nervous for a role or anything you've done on screen?
01:06I do always feel nervous. I think it's like flying. If you don't feel nervous you should stop.
01:13Over the last year I know that you have been promoting Steve and now we're looking forward to Hamnet as well.
01:20A lot of buzz around Hamnet and I know that you were at LFF the other week as well supporting that.
01:26How are you hoping that that film will do come January, February? Is it going to have the impact you want it to?
01:31Well, I think it's a profound film and I hope that it reaches people and if people go and see it that's really great.
01:41I know that in your career you've been such a fantastic champion for British independent film.
01:46Does it, and it breaks a lot of careers as well, as in it boosts people up.
01:51When at the formation of the start of your career is there a film, is there a British independent film that you can point to as really helping you on your way to success?
01:59Well, I started with Lance Von Trier so I've always felt a little bit like an outsider looking in.
02:07But yeah, I've done many films within the industry here over the years. I feel very protective of it.
02:17And it's always having to reform itself because everything always, you know, there's always something happens with the money and it all falls apart.
02:26But I think independent producers are very resourceful people and it's like a petri dish. It will always grow.
02:36There's obviously a lot of talented people here tonight. Who has caught your eye in 2025? A film or an artist?
02:42Well, this young man directed a movie, Bradmore. I mean, quite annoying really, isn't it?
02:52It can't be at all. Thank you so much for your time. Enjoyed tonight as well. Congratulations.
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